Go sets conditions for approval of Health budget

SEN. Bong Go called for the suspension of Wednesday's deliberations on the proposed budgets of the Department of Health (DoH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) until the two agencies' commitments to serve poor and indigent patients were fulfilled and formalized through signed commitment letters. Before the Committee on Finance Subcommittee D, presided over by Sen. Pia Cayetano, could approve the proposed 2025 health budget, Go outlined his demands for written commitments from both PhilHealth and the DoH. He first called for PhilHealth to sign a commitment letter, ensuring they would fulfill their promises during the hearings. "PhilHealth has already promised many things," Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and vice chairman of the Finance Committee, said as he reminded the agency of their agreements to improve healthcare accessibility for Filipinos. Go also demanded that the DoH commit in writing to ensure the continuous, unhampered operations of Malasakit Centers. These centers, institutionalized through Republic Act (RA) 11463, have provided financial assistance and medical support to more than 15 million Filipinos. He emphasized the importance of maintaining sufficient funding and support for these centers, saying, "I wish to have the Secretary of Health sign a commitment letter and issue a department memorandum before we approve the agency's budget stating that DOH shall ensure sufficient funding and assistance shall be provided to guarantee the continuous and uninterrupted operation of all Malasakit centers nationwide." Cayetano said that DoH and PhilHealth must comply with Go's requests before its budget can be officially submitted for approval.